RTAF Assistant Commander Clarifies PM Anutin's F-16 Flight

Post Today•Politics•17d ago

Reader Briefing

Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee defended the Royal Thai Air Force's decision to invite Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to fly in an F-16 fighter jet to demonstrate military capabilities.

•On August 9, 2026, Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee addressed criticisms regarding Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's flight in an F-16.
•The Royal Thai Air Force invited Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to experience flight training, direction, and weapon usage.
•Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee stated the flight was intended to provide direct experience rather than relying on papers.

Overview

•On August 9, 2026, Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee spoke regarding the flight of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in an F-16 fighter jet.
•The Royal Thai Air Force invited Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to fly because Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is already a pilot and holds decision-making power over the Royal Thai Air Force.
•Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee stated the invitation aimed to show what the Royal Thai Air Force can do to ensure confidence.
•Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee noted that the flight allowed Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to understand pilot experience, flight training, direction, difficulty, and the Royal Thai Air Force's use of weapons.
•Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee asserted that the Royal Thai Air Force operates professionally, internationally, and according to the law.
•Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee claimed that obtaining direct experience is better than reading papers.
•Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee denied that the flight was intended to seek additional national budget.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Post Today (Original)

Key Quotes

Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee

"In the future, the Prime Minister can make decisions quickly. The Air Force will show this potential first. It is an experience, not intended to use additional national budget. Not at all, but must learn together."

ต่อไปท่านนายกฯ สามารถตัดสินใจได้อย่างรวดเร็ว กองทัพอากาศก็จะใช้ศักยภาพตรงนี้ให้เห็นก่อน ถือเป็นประสบการณ์ ไม่ได้มีเจตนาเพื่อที่จะใช้งบประมาณของแผ่นดินเพิ่มเติม ไม่ใช่เลย แต่ต้องมาเรียนรู้ด้วยกัน

Key Entities

Person

Prapas Sonjaidee(ประภาส สอนใจดี)

Assistant Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force.

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

Prime Minister and a pilot who flew in an F-16 fighter jet.

Organization

Royal Thai Air Force(กองทัพอากาศ)ℹ️

The military organization that invited the Prime Minister to fly in an F-16.